Happy Birthday to me

I've been obsessed with one of these since Nome and I went to Chico Pauls' for Sattley.Apparently Miz C. occasionally listens to my babbling, because when I got home last night , there it was.
Now I want some cool chickens. Somehow I have a feeling that if the hamsters running Pleasantville don't like a trailer in the driveway, chickens are way off the list. Actually- looking at it, this was some fascinating reading.
Chicken Fight!
I was going to make a Minden reference here, but am going to stop while I'm ahead.

Chickens running around would require this guy to calm his ass down, not an easy thing for him. the four legged killing machine. The mice have left, the snakes don't dare leave their holes, the rats are all dead. The squirrels though, they have no fear. The rabbits out back can't climb trees, so now he stays leashed to avoid further traumatization of Little C, who had no idea her little puppy was the freaking Terminator.Not his fault he's the birdiest dog alive, maybe he'll mellow in another year.

Districts- sometimes your the windshield, sometimes the bug

All weekend at bike racin' and not one bad picture, guess I forgot the camera in the car.

The racing? Not much for me, our ducks were all scrambled this weekend and we just made lemons out of lemonade. Bailed out of the 40+ on Saturday and did the 3/4/5 with the other domestiques.
Kinda wild with a full field of combined juniors, old guys, young guns..... No excuses, I just didn't have it on the climbs. I have been climbing better than ever lately and hoped to stay on and be the finishing punch, but it was not my day.
Seeing the writing on the wall, after the second lap with a little chase, I went to the front in the crosswind and gave em' some gutter time to try to rid some more deadweight from a field that was down by half. Not too effective, but better than nothin contributed. Caught the broomwagon on the next lap and rode in with them. Why do people want to sprint for 23rd? Props to the kids from Alta Alpina, people slam the kids, but they rode real safe while doing 40 downhill, and hit it hard everytime on the climb.
Minden was rippin' and good. Tons of talent on the line, MS and the Baggies had the numbers, Hutch and Roemer have been flying on the lap the field move. Lots of people to watch for only 2 guys.
I bet the farm on the Hutch/Roemer combo and missed the move of the day while regrouping. Reading a race of that caliber is still a couple of years away for me.
All I really had left was one good pack-dragging move to try to hold it together for a remainder of pack sprint, and I got to watch the rest from the sidelines with 10 to go.
Saw a lot of smart racing, no bitching from me. In hindsight keying off Safeway would have been better, why would they let H/R get away with 6-7 guys in the field?
I guess there was lot's of bitching when it was over, I dunno. I can toss out a few MFs and am pretty willing to back it up when the competitive fire is burning, well, sometimes I need to go cool off by myself for a few and remember I'm a 40 year old dad as of Sunday and not on the playground in South Stockton anymore.
Highlights for me-
Sweet campsite! 6 miles from the race, shady with a lake. Kicking it with Nome and DDR after dinner and watching the bats fly around in the meadow was way better than bad TV in Minden.

Soaking up some knowledge all weekend from guys that have done it a looong time.

Rolling with Roemer and looking down at the computer through a corner doing 32. In the flounders we would be SO GONE. Looking back and seeing a long line of determined loons, just savage.

Nice time in the park watching the 35+ race. Lot's of cool people in bike racing, I'll ignore the dumbasses. Great race with Nate, Taz, and the Straw-dude. Killer counter by the Olaf, the Straw-man just wanted it more than anyone else in a extremely motivated bunch from a half-lap in and never let it go .

I came for the pizza but got wine instead

Albany Crits
40+ 3/4

Teammates, Dave A. and Mike B.
Plan, get Dave OTF, and follow Mark Patton at the end. We start in the back, a few minor fender benders, and about 15 minutes in Dave moves up. I follow him off, then soft pedal and gap. He gets a little company, but he's going like a freight train. Berkely works with us, as does Newman's just cause we're cool. Dave wins two primes before being dragged back, and informs me it's my turn. I let a guy go off, bridge to him, but he's gassed. I hear it's a prime lap and gun it on the hill, dropping him and going solo for a few, winning two primes myself. The announcer keeps calling me Dave, he got used to seeing a EMC off the front, I guess. I slide back and slot in with 4 to go, with one to go I'm looking good on Pattens wheel, but we have a mixup and get swarmed as Patten jumps early, I chase and sprint at the end for 9th, cool!

E-4 race- crazy crashfest. The same corner that everyone rolled through 3 wide in the previous race was a mess. Too many crashes to count, I ate a little median strip and got a free lap, then 2 laps later there is another guy on the ground. This time they stop the race, now all the loons that were OTB get a fresh start. There are many more adventures on straights, turns, etc. I start looking for a break cause I'm not staying in this mess. I get in a promising one right as they announce a prime with 2 other guys. I originally wanted to work together but they ran out of steam, so I got a nice Ritchey umbrella.
I hear another prime announced a couple laps later, on the backside they all balloon out looking at one another, so I go again with kind of a wishy-washy move up the inside and get another one. I stay away for one more, but TP has like 10 guys in this race and they are coming hard with 4 to go. I slide to the back, then see my wife and decide to call it a day. Stop to give her a kiss, and finish OTB safe and sound.
Days' total- 4 primes, two bike fits with Curtis Cramblett, noted PT and coach, one wine tasting experience donated to the party kitty, and my favorite, my new cross umbrella for December.
The EMC section of the median strip was rockin', much love, much love.

Little C and Little M got along like gangbusters, going for double overtime on the playdate (thanks, Alicat!)
Some Zacks with friends, a few homemade cookies tonight, just wonderful.
One more set of races next weekend and I'm done for a while, looking forward the season's end.

I wanna be a sprinter.....

Cause they have all the fun.

Diving, ducking, hollering for SOMEONE to take the wind.

They get all the glory.

Even when off the back on the last day,

otherwise sane housewives will run into a open road and scream

"I Love you JJ!"

And with a shy smile and a smooth South American accent, you say

"Thank You"

Nice

Worked the feed for our remaining guys on Sunday, the feed was right up the hill from the campground, so it worked out good.
Set up and got Groove Talkin and Petit to give me some pointers. Groove is El Capitan of the feed, baby! Got it down! Met the famous XB with the cool ears, so we had a good fun bunch up there on the hill.
Dropped the first bottle I tried to hand off, but Petit saved me with a move right out of the Matrix and got Nate the backup bottle.
3rd lap we saw the break taking off with Pasco, Nate and Walker, then a loong time before Larsen appeared, dragging the pack with him. From then on it was hold-yer-breath time, till we saw this pic at the finish.
Nice work, Nate! The guy has been close so many times this year, totally deserving.
All in all, I learned a few things about the beast that is stage racing, the recovery is SO important to focus on. I think specifically for me I needed more long race miles and more experience with nutrition while hammering. The level of racing was a little over my head as well, real easy to burn matches in places that don't matter, keeping track of who was in the break and how this was affecting things. My teammates were great inspiration and a wealth of information helping me out, everybody sucked it up and worked hard till they couldn't turn the pedals anymore.
One thing that I really enjoyed was the level of competition, guys training their asses off all year and ending up 40th for their team's benefit. I saw athletes racing hard and being secure enough in themselves to give a congratulations to another racer win or lose, nice to see. Just because your an amateur doesn't mean you have to act like one.
Real nice.

No Sulking Allowed

So day two started pretty good, most of the previous evening was spent trying to get some calories in and work out the cramps. My chest was very tight and the hamstrings were killing me, but I woke up refreshed and after popping my chest(old accident), things felt OK.
I got out to the TT course early and staked out a good spot. Probably should have rode it, I was a little suprised later.
Got in a good warmup and while still tight, was ready to go. Followed Nome in line and tried to keep him in sight, I had no HRM, so just went old-school, stayed on top of the gear and listened to my body. I had given all my aero goodies to Nate-dawg for the cause, so I felt no pressure. Nome rode a great TT, passing his 30 second man. I was watching the k's pass and figuring I had about 2k more to go when I came around a corner and there ya go.
Got 30th, not bad and opened up my chest and legs. Got a recovery drink and rode with the boys a bit, then went back to base camp and chilled with the girls.
Got downtown early and set up the tent, loosened up on the trainer and focused on stretching and hydrating.
GREAT COURSE, custom made for me, little incline, crosswind, technical chicane and traffic furniture, and a awesome crowd. It was announced there would be a time cut if you didn't make it halfway. causing a few nervous laughs from the back where somehow I ended up.
Race starts and I'm sitting pretty tailgunning it, out of the wind and looking for wheels. Those Oregon boys leave a little more room for each other, and I was real comfy going in 4 wide. Problem- my rear wheel starts shifting wonky and the guy behind me warns me my QR has come open. I'm not a big rule guy and cycling has a million rules,(whole nother' topic there.)
I pull into the top pit OTB and announce my skewer has a little problem, figuring I can fix it and take my free lap. Informed by the blue shirt about rule 7080.45A or something that involves negligence and no free lap.
Oh dear.
I get fixed up and chase the pack that is turning the corner 2 blocks away, get within 100 yards when they zoom away, maybe responding to Larsen/ Roemer or a bridge. not sure cause all I know is I need to last 20 more minutes without getting lapped. I rode as hard as I could, but the dogwalker and Mr. Clover were coming hard. Made it one more lap with a sprint, and realized I needed one more lap that was not there. I let them go( I understand THAT RULE) and got the Sicilian Throat Cut from the head ref, 2 minutes short of the time cut. Went back and bitched a little, but the blue shirts were having none of my stopping for safety's sake/ I drove 9 hours with 2 dogs in a trailer and my family in tow argument.
Watched the rest of the race after taking a minute to cool off, some hard racing by the geezers.
Little C had her race and ended up frustrated just like good old dad after getting cut off in turn one and losing about 10 spots- sounds like a few 4/5 races lately. Hugs and Tropi-wraps made it a little better for all, and we watched about half the pro race, just fantastic.
Health Net was impressive with the whole" we are gonna put the whole team up here and control move". Miz C was oh so happy when her personal dreamboat sprinter won the thing, and another day was done.

Bittersweet

Cascade was big, kind of a lot to get an understanding of. I kind of didn't realize what I was getting into, although all my buddies would give me a funny look when I said I was going, kind of a Tim Allen in Christmas With The Kranks when he gets the Botox injection look, with the eyebrows WAY UP THERE.
I asked questions, put together a training plan, and rode lots of climbs. Long climbs mostly, but also lots of short hill intervals. I looked at profiles, ate salads, and rode more climbs. A big problem is the shortness of most Cat 4 races, only 47 miles at Pescadero, 38 miles at MT. Hamilton. The supergeezers rip, and they do it for hours. They have been doing it for years, as evidenced by the low USCF numbers surrounding my lone 20,0000 number in the standings.
We came up Tuesday from Mt. Shasta, and cruised around. I rode the circuit course which was right outside the campground and drove the RR course, stopping at a cool fish hatchery, a yuppie market in Sunriver, and a way cool Lava cave.
Thursday was marked by riding with the team and the dogwalker, then going downtown and chillin' at Bellatazza, killer cappucinno! Met the team for dinner at their house and tried to soak up some insight as well as some pasta.
I had visions of getting dropped on the first climb and was happy to see a little headwind to help it stay together. 6 miles and change is still a long way to climb for this 185 pounder, but I stayed protected and made it over, first goal a success!
Promptly got dropped on the 50+ descent with J-money who had the speed wobbles, but chased back on and rolled up front to see what was happening.
Much concern shared with the Bagboys about the Vampire getting loose, they put a guy up with him and J and I manage the gap. Not alot of concern coming from the local boys at this point. I roll to the back to grab extra bottles at the feed and burn a big match getting back,but we all have lot's to drink. Unfortunately I can't seem to absorb it well, the Powerbar that seemed like such a good idea is pushing its way out my side, and the salt pill is right behind it. I can feel the warning signs and try to conserve.
We go back through the feed zone and in trying to get extras, I damn near get dropped. The end is near and I am just hanging on over every roller. I look over and Walker is sitting in getting ready, this is gonna suck. Boom the attacks start again on the rollers leading to the last climb, and like a giant hand pulling me back, I get dropped.
The implosion was pretty spectacular, I could barely pedal the bike. The wheel car comes up and gives me a cold water, and holds on for a second to the bottle, giving me a tiny break.
I talk to Groove and Petit Lutin who are chasing the pack in the van, then I am left to my own devices. If I stand I cramp, if I sit my calves and side hurt. I know if I stop it will be over, and I'm not ready for this to be over.
Long -ass climb solo at 5 miles an hour. The 3's pass me on the steep part, then it eases off and I actually catch a few before the finish.
I get a Coke and a water and we roll to the cars, 12 miles downhill. This was probably the toughest part of the day, my body was one large cramp, just rolling from side to side. I called Miz C., she was seriously concerned when she saw me, kinda green and sucked up. She doesn't normally worry about me, Lord knows I've pushed the limit before, so it must have been an ugly sight.
A few numbers- 87 miles with the trip back to the car. 20.5 avg with the last half hour at 5 mph solo.4038 calories burned- maybe the last number tells the tale the best, I probably got in 800 calories at best . Winning time for 75 miles of hills, 3 and change, with me 24 minutes back at the end of the first day.
Proud to be hanging with a bunch of guys not afraid to put it out there for each other, makes me work a little harder.

Cross in July?

Lafayette turned out better than I had hoped, Taco Bell Hill was a non-event. However, the hairpin was an adventure that I solved about 90% of the time. Oh yeah, don't pedal in that thing, the sneaky camber/angle grabbed many a pedal and chucked yours truly about 2 feet sideways, rolling the front tire.
I had a responsibility to Original Joe to watch one guy, James from Trumer for the GC omnium thingy and we marked him heavily with mixed success. I recognized a few names from cross and MTB out there today, guys that if they raced on the road regularly would be 3's and 2's. I attacked from the gun with the Big Volsansky per our plan to stretch it out. The cross/MTB fellas soon joined me while Jimmy took a break and we had a little gap. I was hurting and trying to do mental GC math at the same time and skipped a few rotations. We never organized and got caught about 10 laps in. I slid back a little looking for help from the boys and got some from Rich, Mo, El Patron and Paul, who marked the GC threat some and kept things together. Unfortunately, while I was rallying, WTB guy rolls off and gets 15 seconds. We burn half our guys while most teams watch but there is no real organization and WTB Guy stays away, hats off to him.
I had my moment of flight with 6 laps to go and rode to the pit quickly before the 5 lap rule would kick in, first successful wheel change in my career. I had to chase a little after a crazy push, but I was glad to be back in it for better or worse.
Moved up on Mark Estes' wheel to the front and found Joe sitting pretty while Rich was pulling away. Joe informs me it is the bell lap and we slot in behind 3 peggy boys. The first one takes a nice pull to the backside, then there is indecision in front about who is gonna win it? Not really sure what the conversation was , maybe Gianni will lead out anyway, let's just wait. Not sure, but I got my GC man on my wheel and I can hear the buzzing behind me from the herd. I have decided to just race with my instincts for better or worse and quit overthinking this shit. I definitely do not want to be 10 wide into the corner, and punch it from 600-700 meters. I take the corner smooth and alone and get it on to the finish. I kept waiting for the herd and they finally showed up with 50 meters to go, I see a flash of the red and black from Mo, and Joe a second later, apparently lots of argie-bargie behind me caught him up and knocked him off my wheel, bummer.
Very happy with 8th place and all parts intact, caught Nome's race, sweet win on the omnium!
OV was too cool on the bridge, damn that was some strong move across, all us sporties were just going to school at the bottom of Taco Bell on the supergeezer race, very impressive .
Leaving for Oregon tommorrow, I just hope I'm not last by the first day :-)

Rest Week........

and it's gonna kill me.
No doubt I needed it, 3 weeks of miles, intervals, climbs had my legs just frickin' sore. I couldn't get my HR up anymore cause my legs wouldn't move fast enuff.
Now if I could only REST in the rest week I'd be cool. 2 yard work sessions, sprinkler repair, door repair, blah blah. Gashed the hell out of my knuckle last night when I just HAD to put a 56t pie plate on the km40. Tape measures and air tools are stating to come out all over the place, an idle mind is a dangerous thing. The life of a master's racer- I saw a quote from Chris Horner in Velosnooze Especial about" at this level, you don't walk dogs, wash cars, or clean up dogshit, you just train". Promptly showed it to Miz C., and in infallible spousal logic, it was pointed out there has been 45 bucks and a bottle of wine to show for this years' exploits, and if CH only had a bottle of wine to show for his efforts, he'd be cleanin' up a whole lotta dogshit.
On another note, it has been nice to hang with the family this week. Little C. is swimming really well at her new school, and the Alameda County Fair was fairly mellow this year, no massive nutritional debacles to report.
Looking forward to Taco Bell Hill tommorrow, then we are outta here for a while!
Oh yeah, I gotta figure out how to post pictures where I want em in the text, why is this eluding me? Maybe another rest week would help?

Bring it Redux

Why am I fascinated with this? I'm lovin' the training aspects, the periodization, the bitching to the refs,
Oh yeah!

Bring it

Nuthin' like good ol American pride, baby!

El Diablo

Apparently a overload of training, heat, and salt pills can make Gianni a little loopy. I have been passing this sign for months on my regular excursions to the North Gate Of Hell.
It always makes me contemplate exactly what condition are they referring to today- mine, theirs, ours?
After tonights meet at the Hopyard, it seemed more than a little apropos.

Shasta

"It's times like this we learn to live again"- the Foos


We took a quick trip up to Mt. Shasta this weekend for a wedding. Saturday I got out for a five hour ride of the Shasta Century course, doing the Gumboot climb, Castle Lake, and most of Mt. Shasta before deciding if I was to have any dancin' legs at all that night, I needed to chill.
So beautiful, riding 1 1/2 hour climbs, getting to the top, feeling the sweat cooling me with the breeze from the 10,000 foot peak behind me, turning around to look at Shasta and eat something. Thinking about the bride and groom meeting on that mountain a few years back, I was on some godforsaken rock pile with him a few weeks before outside of Bishop, and him complaining about having to guide a bunch of rookies up Shasta as a favor. All the other folks bailed, they had a heck of a first blind date, and the adventure has been on ever since.....
soulmates for life.